Chapter 65 Heart-to-heart (including yesterday's, two-in-one) "So, should...
——————
Yan Siqing had been to Chang'an when she was very young and had stayed there for a very short time. The Yan family had taken root there, and her parents had returned from reporting to other places and joined the Imperial Hospital. Not long after that, something happened to them.
Her impression of Chang'an was not vague, because she had a good memory when she was young, but she had never been to the palace.
Yan Siqing felt something was wrong as soon as she saw the route the carriage was taking.
This was going to an official residence or a noble mansion, not a remote villa suitable for Tibetans. She had originally guessed that Jiang Rong gave himself such a name probably because someone in the palace's retainers informed him that his son was confused. No matter what the inside story was between him and her mother, at least Yan Siqing was absolutely sure that Jiang Rong would not be happy with her getting involved with Jiang Hui.
He didn't come to stop people;
After all, Jiang Hui was following behind her. If she really entered the palace, this man might be foolish enough to go against the supreme authority of the palace gate. At that time, his status as the prince would not be so noble.
Even as a father, this is what he should do.
But now, it is obviously heading to Prince Yan's Palace?
It's not like she hasn't been to Chang'an before, so doesn't she know where the princes and nobles live?
Yan Siqing was not the type to sit and wait for death. She lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at Prince Yan, who was riding a horse slowly and seemed to be planning to parade through the city.
"Your Majesty, are you doing this to control someone who is very important to me?"
A smart person will not tell the whole story and leave room for others to use their hands, but only the parties involved know what that means.
Either she could reveal the truth and force her mother to keep silent, but even so, there was no need to challenge the emperor's authority.
It’s like even if Prince Yan is the real culprit behind the scenes, the worst outcome is that he will confront the emperor.
It doesn't have to be like this now.
Yan Siqing has always been logical when thinking about problems, but she found that she could not find any clues in this regard in the father and son.
Unexpected and difficult to predict.
It gave her a headache.
She is like this, and her mother is lazy by nature, so she probably can't guess what this man is thinking.
I don’t know how I got through these years.
Yan Siqing actually had another guess - she had never thought about it before, but later when she saw that characters like Jiang Hui also had moments of confusion, she guessed that men... might be the same.
For example, the father and son are indeed similar in some ways, and both have thoughts that they shouldn't have.
Originally, as a junior and with a lower status, Yan Siqing would have been disrespectful to ask such a question. However, ever since she left Yancheng, the nobles she met either wanted to kill her or imprison her.
No matter how she planned or how she seized the opportunity, she could not beat God's will - the sudden rainy season alone blocked traffic, and she was unable to resist and was stopped.
Prince Yan spoke in a calm tone, and seemed to treat her much better than others. At least when she asked, he responded immediately, and also controlled the speed of the horse so as not to lead the horse too far away for her to hear.
"No, I've never been her match."
"You don't have to regard me as a monster. After all, your father and I are close friends."
Best friend? Then why did you imprison his wife with you? And you just told everyone that I was your daughter?
Yan Siqing: “…”
Ruo Zhao, who was riding a horse behind, had a momentary twisted expression on his face.
Zhou Li had already ridden his horse to the palace via another route, but he did not dare to withdraw all his men. At least the blame would be on him, and the other Jinwu Guards would not have to bear the responsibility.
Therefore, his subordinates were instructed to keep a close eye on the situation. Although they could not bring people directly into the palace due to Prince Yan's strong power, they could not go anywhere else after entering Prince Yan's mansion and had to wait for the emperor's attitude at any time.
At least, you can't leave Chang'an.
Due to the other party's status, Yan Siqing was more gentle than Jiang Hui. Moreover, she took her mother's situation into consideration and said calmly, "I was still young at the time and didn't know about this. If you are really a close friend, it would be an honor for my parents."
Prince Yan looked at her deeply, without pointing out the declaration of her identity in her words.
He was escorted to Prince Yan's Mansion.
The housekeepers and guards had already been waiting in front of the mansion. When they saw someone coming, they all came down the stairs and shouted, "Your Highness."
The butler looked at the people in the carriage again and stepped forward to salute, "Second Miss, you are back."
Yan Siqing in the carriage took a deep breath.
She was surprised that the palace's housekeeper was a woman, which was unusual for many palaces.
In this world, it is not easy for women.
Secondly, she was also surprised that Prince Yan had planned every step and had everything prepared in advance.
When she got off the carriage, she looked at Prince Yan.
The expression was not very agreeable.
Prince Yan knew that she had her own thoughts and opinions about him, but he didn't say anything. He just took out a token and handed it to her.
"You'll give it to her later."
"Don't think about refusing. Even if it's not for you, you have to consider her."
"You have no way out."
Yan Siqing really had no way out. All of this was either driven by the emperor or Prince Yan. These two father and son had no idea what they were playing for, and they had completely dragged in the two insignificant mother and daughter.
She is calm, good at judging the situation, and does not care about reputation when necessary. After all, compared to saving her own life, she has no choice but to integrate into Prince Yan's Mansion.
After all, Prince Qi is not completely dead yet, and the emperor is also confused.
The former was not caught in the assassination attempt on Jiang Hui because Wei Tingzhong came forward to guarantee him.
Then getting rid of the mother and daughter would be a piece of cake.
Yan Siqing was silent.
Xie Rong and his sister were also watching from behind. Their Xie family's house was located in another manor opposite nearby. There were two routes to take, but they deliberately followed this one just to see what Prince Yan was thinking.
It’s better not to watch this.
Xie Rong couldn't help but mutter, "My uncle is crazy. Is he going to entrust the household affairs to me?"
What should Jiang Hui do?
Jiang Hui's maternal family is the Xie family.
"What if this Yan is really a man? Even though she is prettier than me, she is still prettier than you."
"But she has the right to inherit the throne..."
"Why are you looking at me like that, sister?"
Xie Juanshu didn't say a word. There was no one else in the carriage, so she couldn't help but roll her eyes harshly. Then she regained her elegance and coldness, looking out the curtain. She saw "Master Yan", whose identity had been hidden until now and people from all sides had their own thoughts about him, reaching out and taking the jade token of the palace.
Xie Juanshu judged: If it was just her, she would not accept it because of her proud nature.
But now, she will.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for giving me a place to stay. I believe in your friendship with my father."
She is thoughtful and still tries to maintain her reputation in front of others.
Prince Yan did not comment. He handed over the token in front of everyone, got back on his horse, and glanced at Jiang Hui's carriage behind him.
It was unknown whether Jiang Hui had woken up, but Prince Yan treated people with the same coldness as his son. He was not even responsible for his son's moods. He just glanced at him indifferently and rode away.
In the carriage, Jiang Hui woke up with the help of medicine. He knew what was happening in front of him and also knew his father's intentions. When he went to Yancheng, he was determined not to act on his own like his father. Now, he hated himself for not being as resourceful and determined as his father.
Moreover, Jiang Rong would not allow Jiang Hui to interfere in this matter at all. This is the patriarchal power that has existed since ancient times. What's worse, Jiang Hui violated Jiang Rong's orders when he went there, and also violated Jiang Rong's wishes when he returned.
In his opinion, it was a good thing that he didn't settle the score with Jiang Hui, and the latter had no right to throw a tantrum.
The father and son understood each other, but were not close. Jiang Hui knew that Jiang Rong was cold, aloof, and had a strong sense of authority, just like his grandfather.
I only regret that I am not mature enough and I don't have enough power...
Ruoqin, who was watching over him in the carriage, was confused and worried. "Your Highness, if Miss Yan is really the Second Miss and the true bloodline of our palace, is that a good thing or a bad thing..."
Xiaoshan slapped a piece of dog-skin plaster on his mouth.
Ruoqin: “….”
Xiaoshan was still quite worried about Jiang Hui, and asked in a low voice if they wanted to go to the backyard.
This will avoid embarrassment on both sides.
What if the people in the palace call them brother and sister in front of Jiang Hui?
Your Highness is really...
Your Highness, you must not vomit blood again!
You will die!
Jiang Hui's face turned even paler, and he said nothing.
Taking the lead, Prince Yan left, and everyone in the palace and before him looked at Yan Siqing who was holding the token.
He then looked at the carriage behind that represented the royal palace - seeing the presence of Ruoqin and others, it was naturally their prince inside.
A royal palace can have multiple masters who possess the core power of the supreme lineage.
But it can’t be – different children born to different women.
Prince Yan has always been very well-behaved, but this time... no one understands his stubbornness.
But no one disobeyed.
You can only cooperate.
Including Jiang Hui.
Yan Siqing held the jade pendant as if it were a hot potato, but she was calm and had been in charge for many years. She had the authority delegated from above, and it was indeed not justified, and she was not doing justice to the real princess. However, she was also forced and could only feel guilty secretly.
"Everyone, I have come to Chang'an for some reason and would like to stay at your house. Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I hope you will give me your guidance over the next few days. If I may bother you, I will be grateful."
She could have used her familiar household management skills to take over the reins without having to care about the wishes of the people below her, but she didn't.
You can just check in and wait for the outcome of the game between Prince Yan and the Emperor. Don't worry about anything else.
She really doesn't want to be the prince's daughter.
Originally, the palace was in a state of turmoil. Prince Yan clearly said that she was his daughter, so they all believed it. They had to believe it even if they didn't want to. They served her like a princess. But the person in front of them was dressed like a Qingke scholar, like a woman in casual clothes. Because of her overly superior appearance, she was not restricted by gender, so people couldn't tell whether she was a princess or a prince.
She was polite and tactful, holding the jade token and bowing, without acknowledging the identity, and used her own explanation - she was just taking care of the relationship between her father and his friend.
Since she said so, the people in the palace were puzzled, but they couldn't ask. The housekeeper stepped forward, bowed, introduced herself, and also clearly stated that Xiqing would enter the palace first.
"Everything has been arranged. You can rest first. If you have any instructions, everyone in the mansion will obey them. This is also the order of the prince."
"His Royal Highness?"
The housekeeper was surprised and frightened, but she restrained herself from going to greet him.
Just because Yan Siqing is still here, we cannot create a rift by favoring one over the other. According to the prince's current attitude, it will only be disadvantageous to the prince.
Jiang Hui walked slowly, with a sickly look on his face. Under Yan Siqing's complicated gaze, he stepped forward and said, "Since you are the sister of my father's close friend, you are one of us in the palace. My father and I have the same idea and are willing to let you go."
He paused, then walked up the steps, getting closer to her, but at just the right distance.
The word "sister" was called out with gritted teeth, yet restrained and reserved.
In fact, she didn't have to show up, but she was worried that people inside and outside the palace would suspect that they were really blood relatives. If both sides took sides and fought, she would find it difficult to explain and would be exhausted to deal with it.
So, he got off the carriage.
It's this "sister"...
What kind of siblings could they be?
Yan Siqing felt uncomfortable listening to this, but he could only pretend to be calm and paused as he looked at his pale face.
He had already arrived in Chang'an, and it was inappropriate for her to contact him out of "favor" or to show concern for his illness.
She felt guilty and grateful for his help, but suddenly realized that when he called her sister, his eyes were on her lips and his brows were furrowed.
"Let me make you the master of our palace."
he......
Yan Siqing was stunned for a moment, clenching his teeth. It only took a moment for him to go from wanting to say something but stopping himself to lowering his eyes and smiling.
He remained calm and patient.
After a while, she said, "Thank you for your courtesy, Your Highness, and for escorting me all the way. Although it was the prince's order, Your Highness has worked hard, and I am deeply grateful."
It can be said that these "sister and brother" who met halfway were very decent, and neither of them caused trouble for the other.
Just like before, no matter how they test each other or how they make trouble, once there is an external enemy, they will immediately join forces. And if they realize that the other party has other plans, they will generally cooperate with the other party without making a sound.
At least, at this moment, no one can find any fault.
Then, Prince Yan's Mansion moved forward in a polite and harmonious manner.
Jinwu Guards: "..."
Dali Temple surveillance: "......"
No wonder Shaoqing predicted that nothing would happen.
Is it really possible to avoid any disturbance?
The two men seemed to have just met and were very polite.
——————
As soon as they entered the mansion, Jiang Hui returned to his prince's villa, while Yan Siqing was taken to the women's courtyard by the housekeeper.
He took two steps, held on to the pillar and looked back.
I found that the man didn't look back.
He also didn't know that after Yan Siqing turned and walked to the other side, he bit his lips lightly and breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously.
Like a pine tree and sighing.
She couldn't deny... She didn't dare to approach him now, and she didn't know how to respond to his enthusiasm.
But she couldn't be distracted. There were already two groups of people in the palace who represented Jiang Hui and his mother, and even the late queen, and they definitely didn't like her.
Isn’t that the Xie family?
When they arrived, they could see that it was a carefully selected villa with an excellent location. However, Yan Siqing had no intention of experiencing the elegance of the palace. She was a little tired.
Xiaoyun: "We're here, girl, you can rest first."
Yan Siqing's expression was subtle, "Maybe not."
"Maybe when I wake up, someone from your palace will come to me to spy on me."
"But I have to wait for my mother first, or for the next imperial decree."
Xiaoyun smiled awkwardly and muttered softly, "Maybe not."
Um?
Yan Siqing didn't think much about it. She leaned against the soft couch, resting her forehead, looking out the window, thinking about her biological mother whom she hadn't seen for more than ten years. Occasionally, she thought of Jiang Hui gritting his teeth and calling her sister...
——————
In another villa, Xu Junrong had been absent-minded for many days. While he was distracted, he suddenly heard footsteps. Before he could come to his senses, he saw someone blocking the door.
She was startled and took a step back, but then she reacted and said solemnly, "Your Highness, is there something wrong? I'll go out right away. We're outside..."
Jiang Rong: "His Majesty wanted to summon your daughter to see the Emperor, but I stopped her and sent her to my palace."
Xu Junrong's expression changed drastically, and he was panicked, but he tried his best to calm down, "Your Highness, what do you want?"
She is indeed not that smart, at least not as smart as her daughter or old foxes like Jiang Rong, but she is not a fool either.
Jiang Rong deliberately led Yan Siqing to the White Horse Temple.
Even if Yan Siqing couldn't solve the case, he still had clues to resolve the dilemma, with the goal of keeping Yan Siqing in his hands.
Then.....
"You and your daughter really think alike. She also asked me if I was using her situation to control you."
Xu Junrong sneered, "Isn't it?"
Jiang Rong: "Really? Then, Madam, tell me how I controlled you."
"Can I come in?"
He asked calmly, but his expression was still sharp, and his eyes were full of depth.
Xu Junrong's expression froze for a moment, and he pursed his lips. "So I ask, Your Highness, what exactly do you want..."
She was shocked and took a step back.
Because Jiang Rong stepped over the threshold and took a step forward.
Xu Junrong's ears flushed, and he looked outside first...
"They're not here."
“I can’t see.”
What are you looking at?
Xu Junrong retreated step by step, and her back lightly hit the dressing table, blocking her way, leaving her with no way to retreat.
Only then did I realize that the bed was not far away.
She took a deep breath, turned her face away, and let her brows fall on the hazy gauze fluttering in the wind under the bedroom window.
"Jiang Rong, if you had thought of this a long time ago, you could have just said it openly."
"Just once."
"For once, could you please take the trouble to send Siqing away?"
"Anything is fine."
Her fingers trembled a little.
But when it fell to his waist, he bent his fingers, pulled, and untied the belt directly.
The robe covering the plain and thin skirt fell to the ground.
Revealing the curvy and exquisite figure inside.
Back in the fiefdom where the Jiang family reigned supreme, the Xu family was not very noticeable. The Jiang family had great ambitions and their hearts were towards the central government. However, Jiang Rong loved to travel and was chivalrous when he was young. He had a great time climbing mountains and fishing in the sea. He had long known that the Xu family had a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, which was considered heresy.
My younger brother is doing well, and seems to have the potential to revive the imperial examination system.
My daughter is lively and fun-loving, and she is stunningly beautiful.
Jiang Rong didn't take it seriously at the time. After all, how could such a beautiful woman be so rare in the world?
When he first saw it, he just thought it was indeed rare, but that was all.
Later, he saw her and his good brother trying to climb over the wall on a snowy day in winter to skip classes at the private school. However, she was weak, useless and cowardly, unlike his brave brother, so she didn't dare to go up. His brother Xu Junyan suggested that he crawl back and step on her back to support her, but she refused, saying shamelessly that if she couldn't climb over the wall, could she not climb a tree?
So I climbed.
Then the card is on.
Can't come down.
She was tall, but thin and light, hanging on the orange-red persimmons piled high in the snow, swaying, weak and fragile, crying: Save me, save me, woo woo...
Her brother was so anxious that he jumped up and down like a monkey.
She, stuck in the tree, doesn't look like that.
It must be an elf.
It is breathtakingly beautiful and lifelike, just playing around in the world.
He thought at the time.
At that time, he was planning to jump over the roof of the next room to help her.
result.
When the private school teachers arrived, they were angry and anxious about them, so many male and female students rushed over after hearing the news. Seeing that she was in trouble, they all rushed to help.
She kept calling me sister.
The people in their hometown are open-minded, the young people are active and lively, and there are many travelers. This is also due to the good development, prosperity and strength, and the self-satisfied and relaxed state.
It was good, but for the first time he felt bad.
It was just a moment of hesitation and displeasure.
She was rescued.
Feeling wronged, she pulled her sleeves and was scolded by the gentlemen one by one.
But she was always loved by everyone. The gentlemen loved her and her siblings so much that the spankings they gave her on the hands were so light that they couldn't even kill a mosquito.
She is quite good at pretending. When she is hit, she just cries out.
After being beaten, he did not forget to ask his younger brother to pick the reddest persimmon on the branch.
"I just checked it, it's ripe and ready to eat!"
"It must be sweet."
Xu Junyan was so angry that he started cursing, and while cursing, he resigned himself to borrowing a hook from the teacher... A group of students and the teacher gathered under the tree to hook persimmons.
That day, he looked there for a long time.
long time.
But on that day, he hesitated, but still bid farewell to his commander from his youth and went to the battlefield.
At that time, he was thinking: A man does not necessarily have to have ambitions to travel far and wide, but troubled times have come, and some battles still have to be fought. After he has fought with some people, these people here will not have to leave their homes and suffer misfortune.
He will lay a better future for them and a better country.
Like the persimmon tree that bears abundant fruits, she is as beautiful and free as other girls year after year.
He was in a hurry at that time and had to secretly entrust his teacher to help look after the Xu family. Because he was afraid of ruining her reputation, he only said that he was optimistic about Xu Junyan and believed that the latter had a promising career in the future. Only when the Xu family was well-off could his career be smooth.
The commander's eyes seemed meaningful at the time, and he didn't quite agree, but he still agreed.
Two years later, he wrote to me and told me many things about her...and how many suitors she had.
He was anxious, but he couldn't get away, and he didn't dare let the emperor who was in charge at the time know about it when he was still young and weak. So he endured it and became more and more brave on the battlefield, wanting to achieve success as soon as possible... so that no one could control his marriage and future.
later......
Many years after she got married, he went to that private school many times.
I also approached the words again and again, inquired about them in a subtle way, pondered them over and over again at night, and fought with the devil in my heart.
In the end...I accepted it.
It's fate.
——————
Many years have passed and things have changed.
He was not a gentleman with impeccable virtues, nor was he a general who went to the battlefield with unparalleled bravery. He coveted her, lusted after her, and tried to use his power to get his hands on her countless times.
It also forced her to untie her clothes.
Her beauty was half revealed, and in front of him, she was willing to let him have whatever he wanted.
Persimmon tree, the reddest and sweetest one.
Jiang Rong could not deny his plan: he wanted to marry into her family, to be her only partner for the rest of her life. He wanted her to share the power and wealth he had worked so hard for with him, just as he had originally envisioned, without having to conform to worldly propriety in front of others or pretend to be virtuous in front of others.
He wanted her to share this kingdom with him.
This is the original and most natural ending.
Watch her undress.
His eyes were warm, but his heart was cold.
He subconsciously looked at the persimmon tree outside the window and fell silent.
Come forward.
She did not retreat, and there was no way to retreat.
The loose collar and the delicate white collarbone moved slightly because of tension. If raindrops continued to accumulate on them, would they shake and drop crystal clear water droplets?
He came up to her.
Half kneel down.
In front of her legs...
Xu Junrong was so shocked that she pressed herself against the wardrobe.
When she realized that he was only picking up her outer robe, she came back to her senses, her face flushed with shame.
She was thinking...in the wrong way.
Jiang Rong, who had just stood up, was also stunned for a moment. He stared at her with a very bad expression, and clenched his fingers on his outer robe. "You and Yan Que, are you like this?"
Xu Junrong was just trying to cover up his own gaffe, but upon hearing this, he was extremely embarrassed and angry, "What nonsense are you talking about!"
"That's not true!"
"He's a gentleman!"
"You're obscene!"
She denied it repeatedly and was eager to scold him.
But his face was red as if blood was dripping out.
Jiang Rong's face was expressionless: "You know what I mean."
"Actually, you're a couple and have a daughter, so it's normal."
"Why are you so anxious to deny it?"
Xu Junrong was stuck. When people are anxious and angry, they lose all reason. "I, I read those storybooks when I was young, those messed-up storybooks... Of course, they were given to me by others!"
"I just happened to glance at it. I don't like it! It's all dirty stuff."
"Yes, he and I are husband and wife, and it's common sense for husband and wife to respect each other. Why are you asking me this?"
“Even if I follow him…”
Her waist rested against the dressing table.
She was frightened into silence.
But Jiang Rong.
He put his coat around her, but kept one arm around her, holding her close.
She could feel his strong heartbeat and dull fatigue.
A long sigh.
"I am indeed blackmailing you."
"If I want you, there is no way out but to go to my palace."
"Don't go to other people's houses anymore."
"Is it okay?"
Xu Junrong was shocked.
In fact, she vaguely realized that he had feelings for her, and that they were sincere.
Because if she was not sincere when confronting the emperor for herself and her daughter, then her requirements for love in this world would be too harsh.
But she had shackles in her heart.
Their relationship is too difficult to explain.
"Jiang Rong."
"Have you ever thought about your wife? And your son?"
"As a human being, love is not the only thing you seek. Just like a general on the battlefield, you should know that family, country, life and death, and even moral honor and disgrace are more important than love."
"Love is like a building, it can be replaced by anyone."
“But responsibility is not.”
"You've just trapped us, mother and daughter, into your world, but haven't you considered how others already in your world might be harmed? Just like, if you and your other brothers and sisters, those princes and princesses, put yourself in their shoes, you wouldn't necessarily be happy if your father, His Majesty, acted like this."
“People’s hearts have always been like this.”
She is not a pedantic person. She has been a rascal since she was a child. She does not need others to teach her to let go and find new prospects and happiness.
But the reason she couldn't do it was that there were too many things involved.
She can't let go of her responsibilities.
Similarly, she also looks down on people who are irresponsible and only care about love.
She chose the poem largely because of his kindness and gentleness, as was the case with many of his clan.
Jiang Rong lowered his head. "She knows. I told her from the beginning that I have someone in my heart and I can't give her anything else. I helped her change her precarious situation in the Xie family, gave her power and wealth, let her realize her ambitions, run the business, manage the family, and even deploy military force. I let her be free and happy. She doesn't ask for love, just these."
"You got married and had a daughter, and I also got married and had a son. I thought that was it for my whole life."
"I never thought of disappointing other women."
"However, I didn't know she had passed away, nor did I think that you and Yan Que would encounter such a thing."
Xu Junrong was stunned and suddenly asked, "Who wants to kill the Yan family?"
Jiang Rong stared at her, his eyes dark and churning, "Does Yan Que know about this? Did he tell you?"
Xu Junrong: "The fact that you were able to make it here means you knew the news in advance."
"So, should it be you who knows, or should I know?"
From ambiguity, to heart-to-heart talk, and then to a sudden change.
It only takes a moment.
Jiang Rong was quiet, and the entire courtyard seemed to be extremely quiet as well.
Xu Junrong noticed that the man's hand was on the hilt of the sword at his waist and he slowly pulled it out.
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